Okuzeka
Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Volcanoes

Magma

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

/ˈmæɡmə/nounCore term

In geology & earth sciences, magma means: Molten or partly molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, often containing crystals and dissolved gases. It is called lava once it reaches the surface.

In Turkish: magma

How it is used

Used in igneous petrology and volcanology: magma forms, rises, cools, crystallises and erupts. A magma chamber is a large body of magma in the crust. Magmas are described by composition, from basaltic to rhyolitic.

Example sentences

  1. Magma rising beneath the volcano caused hundreds of small earthquakes.

  2. Silica-rich magma is very viscous and tends to erupt explosively.

Common collocations

  • magma chamber
  • rising magma
  • basaltic magma
  • magma cools
  • magma composition
  • lavaMolten rock that has come out of a volcano onto the Earth's surface, and also the solid rock that forms when it cools.
  • volcanoAn opening in the Earth's crust where magma, gas and ash come out, and the mountain or hill built around it by repeated eruptions.
  • igneous rockRock that forms when molten magma or lava cools and becomes solid. Granite forms slowly underground, while basalt forms quickly at the surface.
  • eruptTo send out lava, ash and gas, either in a violent explosion or as a quieter flow of lava. Said of volcanoes, and also of geysers.

More terms: Volcanoes

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: